Inside Tennis

ARRIVEDERCI, TOMAfter a Davis Cup wipeout against Italy, it's time for Gulliksonto go

If the Brewers of Milwaukee were to bottle a beer commemoratinglast weekend's Davis Cup tie, rest assured it would be a lite.With Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Michael Chang all inabsentia, the less-filling, less-thrilling U.S. team thatconverged on Milwaukee Arena consisted of Todd Martin,Jan-Michael Gambill and Justin Gimelstob. The trio--onegray-templed veteran near the omega of his career and two DavisCup neophytes ranked 50th and 100th, respectively--was somethingother than a murderers' row. "I guess you could call us the Bteam," said Martin, "but we're the guys who got the call, forbetter or for worse." Though their Italian counterparts werethemselves no-names whom only the most fervent tennis fan coulddistinguish from the kitchen help in Big Night, it definitelywas for worse.

In the opening match the 21-year-old Gambill, playing AndreaGaudenzi, was afflicted with deer-in-the-headlights syndrome.His aggressive baseline game blunted by a mysteriously slowindoor hard court, Gambill played big points poorly, missed easyvolleys and after staving off eight match points, fell in foursets. Martin then lost in straight sets to Davide Sanguinetti(whom Agassi had demolished 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 at the U.S. Open),and, faster than you could shotgun a can of Schlitz, the U.S.was a point from elimination. The upsetissimo was completed onSaturday when Martin and Gimelstob fell in five sets to Gaudenziand Diego Nargiso, neither of whom ranks among the top 100doubles players. Italy moved on to the finals to play Sweden,which defeated Spain in a tie that, by contrast, showcased fourtop 25 players.

You wouldn't have known it from the Italians' riotouscelebrating, but their victory was diluted by the absence of thebest U.S. players. Adamant about not overtaxing his creaky body,Sampras swore off the Davis Cup at the start of the year. Chang,who has never been big on the event, begged off to apply thedefib paddles to his moribund career. As for Agassi, usually aloyal Cup participant, the tie coincided with a fund-raiser forhis charity foundation in Las Vegas. Instead of explaining theconflict and going on his black-tie way, Agassi took theopportunity to rip the U.S. Davis Cup operation. "The USTA runsit the way they want to run it, but no one who wears a tieshould be making the decisions," he said, adding that if he werea fan and no top American were playing, he wouldn't buy a ticket.

All but a few thousand Wisconsinites thought likewise. (How'sthis for a sign of the times: The Promise Keepers' convention,held simultaneously at the adjacent Bradley Center, packed thehouse.) Taken aback by such indifference to la Coppa Davis,Gaudenzi said, "I would rather the whole place was filled withfans who are against me than have it be like this. In Italy,Davis Cup is the biggest event in tennis."

To make it bigger here, the USTA, ATP Tour and ITF have discusseda range of options, from rewarding participants with tourranking points to holding the event every other year, like theRyder Cup. The first order of business, however, should bereplacing Tom Gullikson, who has played out his hand after asolid if unspectacular five-year captaincy. Gullikson iswell-liked and respected, but the perception that he's a goodsoldier (read puppet) for the USTA is fatal to his ability torecruit the stars. "We need someone who will represent theplayers," says Agassi. "Someone who can light a fire."

An obvious candidate is the cantankerous proprietor of a SoHoart gallery. As he did last time there was a vacancy, JohnMcEnroe has made it known that he's available. Although volatileand less than willing to appease sponsors, McEnroe would standthe best chance of arming a team with top guns, and his presenceon the sidelines would bolster the event's popularity. "He wouldbe good as a player's coach," says outgoing USTA president HarryMarmion, "but you have to become part of management. He's toounpredictable. I wouldn't know where he stood on any issue untilI read it in the paper."

Perhaps not. But Mac would add much needed carbonation to a U.S.Davis Cup team that's more than a little flat.

Rafter RevisitedUP IN ARMS DOWN UNDER

The U.S. Open final, pitting Pat Rafter against MarkPhilippoussis, was a banner occasion for Australian tennis. Itwas also a flash point for controversy. Angered that Tony Roche,Australia's Davis Cup coach, watched the match from Rafter'sbox, Philippoussis accused Roche of favoritism and Roche, inturn, suggested he might resign from the team. Rafter, theworld's No. 2 player, responded, "If Rochey goes, I go. Hedoesn't deserve the abuse he's gotten." With Roche coaching andRafter playing, Australia beat Uzbekistan 5-0 last weekend toclinch a spot in the World Group of the 1999 Cup. Philippoussiswas AWOL.

The recent contretemps is the latest in a long-running, ifpetty, saga that resulted in Philippoussis skipping the previousDavis Cup tie (in which the Aussies were upset by Zimbabwe) andthen Rafter dumping Philippoussis as a doubles partner. "Markand I are starting to patch things up," Rafter said a week afterthe U.S. Open. "But it's hard to defend him when he offends agood friend."

Rafter, normally a preternaturally mellow fellow, is alsoagitated that Pete Sampras wasn't more gracious in defeat thelast two times they played. Sampras attributed his loss in thefinals of August's ATP Championships to a questionable line callon match point. After losing to Rafter in the U.S. Open semis,Sampras noted that he was winning before pulling a quadricepsmuscle. "He has become a bit of a crybaby," says Rafter, fanningthe flames of a rivalry that men's tennis badly needs.

A Hot ProspectATTENTION, SERGEI FEDOROV

Jennifer Capriati turned pro at 13, only to burn out within afew years, to be arrested on a drug-related charge and to becomea walking, talking cautionary tale. But Rick Macci, who coachedCapriati as a junior, has apparently learned little from herexperience. Two weeks ago the Macci Tennis Academy in FortLauderdale issued a press release saying that Monique Viele, atop junior in Macci's stable, will turn pro after her 14thbirthday this week. "We also are exploring the possibility oflegally challenging the age eligibility rule of 14 that the WTAnow enforces," the release adds. "We feel it inhibits Moniquefrom making a living."

More disturbing than this announcement is the academy'sbreathless characterization of Monique, who's from ColoradoSprings. At a time when the WTA vows to market its players asathletes and not underage sex symbols, the Macci release says ofMonique, "She rivals a champion thoroughbred with her physicalgrace and beauty. Her long, lean, tanned, muscular legs are bothan attribute to her good looks and her speed on the court. Herphysique is astonishing...she looks more like a supermodel thana tennis player." Even her "sea green eyes" don't escape mention.

Monique's results are encouraging. By 11 she had a top 40ranking in Florida's girls' 18 division, and this year shebecame the youngest player ever to win the 18 division of theFlorida Open. But those credentials hardly mandate turning pro.

Macci sees it differently. "Her intensity level is scary," hesays. "I see many Grand Slam titles in her future."

COLOR PHOTO: DAVID WALBERG Throw in the towel Martin (left, during loss to Sanguinetti) was the best vet Gully could get. [Todd Martin sitting courtside with head in hands beside Tom Gullikson]COLOR PHOTO: MANNY MILLAN A true mate Loyal friend and Aussie Davis Cupper Rafter is standing by his man Roche. [Patrick Rafter serving]

By the Numbers

0 American juniors ranked among the top 20 internationally in boysand girls singles.

200,000 Amount, in dollars, Andre Agassi will receive as an appearanceguarantee at the Czech Indoor later this month, in addition touse of a private jet, luxury apartment, private pool and gym,and satellite receiver, all of which Agassi demanded and got.

137,000 Amount, in dollars, to be awarded to the winner of the CzechIndoor.

700,000 Amount, in dollars, awarded to the U.S. Open men's and women'ssingles winners.

1,300,000 Amount, in dollars, to be awarded to the men's winner of thisweek's Grand Slam Cup in Munich. The women's winner will get$800,000.